Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3 ~
Description
Modular Space Framed Earthquake
Resistant _ ucture
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to modular
space framed structures and in particular to a modular
space framed support structure for enhancing the earthquake
resistance of the construction being supported.
Bac~round Art
Constructions, such as buildings, offshore platforms
and the like, typically include a substructure, such as a
foundation, support beams or the like, to support the
superstructure of the construction. In building
construction structural frames can support loadings acting
15 in unison with the foundatiGn system. In the case of an
offshore platform, the support structure, which is
typically comprised of ver~ical support members embedded in
the ocean bottom, is substantially completely disposed
below the ocean surface for supporting the platform
20 superstructure above the water level.
According to prior practice the support structure for
an offshore platform is typically comprised of vertical
support members (e.g., "jack up" platform) which are
embedded at one end at respective first ends thereof in the
25 ocean bottom with concrete anchoring blocks or the like and
respective second ends which are in contact with the
platform superstructure to maintain the superstructure
above the water line. Laterally extending cross-members
are typically used to provide structural rigidity for the
30 support s~ructure. The support structure typically has a
rectangular cross-section so that the width of the support
structure i9 substantially the same from top to bottom
along the support structure.
One problem associated with such rectangular support
35 structures is that the stability of the support structures
diminishes as a function of the vertical depth thereof for
a given width of the support structure. The stability
-2- 13~59~3
problem is particularly significant if the offshore platform is
located in an area of high earthquake probability. The
horizontal movement of the seabed caused by an earthquake will
produce an overturning moment on the platform. The magnitude of
the overturning moment is directly proportional to the force of
the earthquake and the height of the platform above the seabed
(i.e., the depth of the water) and is indirectly proportional to
the horizontal width or diameter, as the case may be, of the
support structure. In deep water, the width of the support
structure must be substantially increased, which not only
complicates the construction process, but also substantially
increases the cost thereof.
Another problem associated with a rectangular frame
structure is the diminished horizontal force resistive capability
because of the square corners and the turbulent air flow around
the corners of the structure. These limitations apply
irrespective of whether the structure is located onshore or
offshore.
U.S. Patent No. 4,238,947 discloses modular Y-shaped members
for frame construction. U.S. Patent No. 3,995,897 discloses a
coupling device for interconnecting pipe or other tubular
construction members. U.S. Patent Nos. 1,090,312; 2,959,256;
2,982,379; 3,347,000; 3,407,559; 3,999,351; and 4,480,414 and
French Patent No. 2,306,318 teach various types of frame
constructions.
Disclosure of the Invention
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is
provided a modular structure having a plurality of horizontal
space framed levels, comprising: a plurality of sets of modular
construction devices corresponding to the number of leYels in the
structure, the construction devices of each set each having
~irst, second and third branches such as herein described of
substantially equal length and interconnected to define a rigid
Y-shaped with respective space angles batween each pair of said
branches; first connector means for interconnecting the
corresponding first and second branches of the construction
, ., ,~
_3_ ~315943
devices of each set so that the first and second branches of the
construction devices of each set define a polygonal frame at a
corresponding level of the structure; and second connector means
for interconnecting aligned ones of the third branches at
successive levels in the structure to define corresponding legs
of the structure.
In one embodiment each polygonal frame is comprised of a
plurality of horizontal legs of equal length and the length of
each tubular member of the construction devices in a particular
set is equal to one-half the length of one leg o~ the
corresponding polygonal frame defined by that particular set of
construction devices. In another embodiment the first connector
means is comprised of a plurality of first sleeve members, each
of which has a central bore for receiving respective ends of the
first tubular member of a first construction device and the
second tubular member of a second construction device adjacent
to the ~irst device, to interconnect the corresponding first and
second tubular members of the first and second devices to define
one horizontal frame member of the corresponding polygonal frame.
In yet another embodiment the second connecting means is
comprised of a plurality of second sleeve members, each of which
has a central bore for receiving the facing ends of an aligned
paix of third tubular members to define the inclined legs of the
structure. In the preferred embodiment the first, second and
third tubular members of each construction device are
interconnected to form a rigid Y-shaped with respective space
angles of 10~, 108 and 108 between each pair of tubular
members in a particular construction device.
In another aspect of the invention a modular
construction device is comprised of first, second and third
~ 3 ~
--4--
beams ~hich are interconnected to define a rigid Y-shaped
joint with respective space angles between each pair of
beams. The first and second beams are adapted to define
respective portions of respective first and second
5 horizontal frame members at a particular level in a mul~i-
level space framed structure. The third beam is oriented
to define a corresponding portion of a vertical leg of the
structure interconnecting that particular level with an
adjacent level. The first and second beams intersect the
10 third beam at a selected position between the first and
second opposite ends of the third beam. The first and
second beams are notched adjacent to ~heir respective
intersections with the third beam for receiving a portion
of the third beam within the notch so that at least a
15 portion of the third beam projects from the notch in each
direction along the major axis of the third beam. In the
preferred embodiment the first, second and third beams are
comprised of respective first, second and third C-channel
beams, each of which has a base member and a pair of lip
20 flanges projecting from the base member.
In yet another aspect of the invention a plurality of
modular construction devices comprised of first, second and
third beams, as described above, are interconnected to
define a multi-level structure. Each level in the
25 structure is comprised of a discrete set of modular
construction devices. First connector means is provided
for interconnecting the corresponding first and second
bea~s of the construction devices of each set so that the
first and second beams define a polygonal frame at a
30 corresponding level in the structure. ~econd connector
means is provided for interconnecting aligned ones of the
third beams at successive levels in the structure to define
the corresponding vertical legs of the structure. A
plurality of these multi-level structures may be positioned
35 so that selected portions of the polygonal frame at each
level of each structure are substantially in abutting
relationship with corresponding portions of the polygonal
frames of respective adjacent structures. Furthermore,
. ' ' : . ., , ` .
.
~5~ ~3~ 5~3
selected ones of the third beams of each structure are
substantially in abutting relationship with corresponding
ones of selected third beams of adjacent structures at
respective corners of the adjacent structures. The
5 abutting third beams are joined together to define
corresponding vertical legs of the building construction.
In still another aspect of the invention a modular
structure having a plurality of horizontal space framed
levels is comprised of a plurality of modular construction
10 devices, each of which has first, second and third tubular
members of substantially equal length which are
interconnected to define a rigid Y-shape with respective
obtuse space angles between each pair of tubular members.
First connector means is provided for interconnecting the
15 corresponding first and second tubular members of adjacent
construction devices at a corresponding level in the
structure so that the interconnection of the first and
second tubular members of adjacent construction devices
defines a polygonal frame at the corresponding level of the
20 structure. Second connector means is provided for
interconnecting aligned ones of the third tubular members
at successive levels in the structure. The third tubular
members are oriented at a predetermined acute angle with
respect to respective vertical axes which are perpendicular
25 ~o the corresponding polygonal frames so that the
interconnection of the aligned third tubular members
defines corresponding inclined legs of the structure.
In one embodiment the first connector means is
compri~ed of a plurality of first sleeve members~ each of
30 which has a central bore for receiving respective ends of
the first tubular member of a first construction device and
a second tubular member of a second construction device
adjacent to the first construction device to interconnect
the corresponding first and second tubular members of the
35 first and second devices to define a horizontal frame
member of the polygonal frame. The plurality of sleeve
members are preferably comprised of a plurality of discrete
sets of sleeve members corresponding to the number of
-6- ~3~
levels in the structure. All of the sleeve members of the
same set are disposed at the same level in the structure.
Because the length of each horizontal frame member
increases at each successively lower level in the
5 structure, the sleeve members disposed at the lowermost
level will have the greatest length, while the sleeve
members disposed at the uppermost level will have the
smallest length. The length of each sleeve member is
preferably sufficient to connect the aligned ~irst and
10 second tubular members of adjacent construction devices at
the respective points of contraflexure along the
corresponding horizontal frame member.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a modular
15 construction device according to the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a modular space framed
structure according to the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of a particular level in
the modular space framed structure;
FIGURES 4A and 4B are respective sectional and end
views of a sleeve member used to interconnect aligned
tubular members at a particular level in the modular space
framed structure;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the interconnection
25 of the corresponding tubular members at successive levels
to define the vertical legs of the structure in accordance
with the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is an elevational view illustrating the
interconnection of the corresponding tubular members at
30 successive levels to define the vertical legs of the
structure in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURES 7A and 7B are respective sectional and end
~Jiews of a sleeve member used to interconnect the
corresponding tubular members at successive levels in the
35 structure to define the vertical legs of the structure in
accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a modular space
framed structure in accordance with the present invention;
,
_7_ ~3~ 3
and
FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of an earthquake
resistant st~ucture for supporting an offshore platform in
accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a modular space
framed structure in accordance with the present invention
having a hexagonal lateral cross section;
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view showing the
interconnection of a plurality of the structures shown in
10 FIGURE 10;
FIGURES 12a and 12b are perspective views of an
alternative embodiment of a modular construction device
according to the present invention;
FIGURES 12c and 12 d are respective top and bottom
15 plan views of corresponding branches of the modular
construction devices which are connected to define a common
vertical leg of abutting structures.
FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the structure
depicted in FIGURE 11 with an inflatable self-supporting
20 dome roof connected thereto;
FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the structure depicted
in FIGURE 13;
FIGURE 15 is a top plan view of a modular space framed
structure with a substantially rectangular roof connected
25 thereto;
FIGURE 16 is an elevational view of an adapter for
connecting the rectangular roof to the structure shown in
FIGURE 15;
FIGURES 17a and 17b are perspective views of a wrap
30 around sleeve used to connect abutting tubular branches
comprising the frame members in a multi-structure building
construction;
FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a modular construction device according to
35 the present invention;
FIGURE 19 is a sectional view of an alternate
embodiment of a sleeve member used to interconnect the
aligned tubular members at a particular level in the
-8- ~ 3 ~ J
modular space framed structure; and
FIGURE 20 is a top plan view of an alternate
embodiment of a modular space framed structure according to
the present invention.
Best Mode for Carryin~ Out the Invention
In the description which follows, like parts are
marked throughout the specification and drawings,
respectively. The drawings are not necessarily to scale
and in some instance proportions have been exaggerated in
10 order to more clearly depict certain features of the
invention.
Referring to FIGURE 1, a modular construction device
10 is comprised of first, second and third tubular branches
12, 14 and 16 of equal length, which are interconnected to
15 define a rigid Y-shaped joint with respective obtuse space
angles between each pair of tubular branchesO The ends of
each tubular branch are tapered for being inser~ed into a
connector device, as will be described in greater detail
hereinafter. A circumferential groove 15 is disposed
20 adjacent to the end of each branch for mating with a
complementary member in the connector device. Ears 17 are
positioned between each of the branches for allowing
bracing members or the like to be connected to construction
device 10, as will be described in greater detail witll
25 reference to Figure 8. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGURE 1, the three space angles may vary from 90 to 120.
For example purposes, it will be assumed that the three
space angles are each 108 with reference to Figures 1-9.
Referring also to FIGURE 3, a plurality of
30 construction devices 10 are interconnected by a
corresponding plurality of sleeve members 18 to define a
pentagonal-shaped horizontal frame 20. In FIGURE 3, five
construction devices 10 are connected at the respective
five corners A, B, C, D, and E of pentagonal frame 20 so
35 that the corresponding third tubular branch 16 of each
device 10 depends outwardly and downwardly from the plane
deined by frame 20 and the corresponding first and second
tubular branches 12 and 14 are interconnected to define
9 ~31~43
corresponding members of frame 20. ~or example, firs.
tubular branch 12E of the particular device 10 disposed at
corner E of frame 20 is eligQed with the corresponding
second ~ubular branch 14D of the particular device 10 whicr.
5 is disposed at corner D of frame 20. Each sleeve member 18
has a central bore extending therethrough for receiving
respective facing ends of each pair of aligned tubular
branches, as best illustrated in FIGURE 4A. Each sleeve
member 18 connects the corresponding first tubular branch
10 12 of one device 10 with the corresponding second tubular
branch 14 of an adjacent device 10 to define ~entagonal
frame 20. Each member of frame 20 has a length
approximately twice that of the length of each tubular
branch.
Referring also to FIGURES 4A and 4B, the ends of each
tubular branch 12 and 14 are tapered for being received
within the central bore of the corresponding,sleeve member
18. Disposed adjacent to the end of each tubular branch
12, 14 is a groove (see FIGURE 1) which extends
20 circumferentiall~ around the corresponding tubular branch
12, 14 for engaging a corresponding male member 22 in the
bore of sleeve member 18 for locking the corresponding
tubular branches 12, 14 in respective predetermined fixed
positions within sleeve member 18. In an alternate
25 embodiment male members may be disposed on branches 12, 14
and lo in lieu of female grooves 15 for mating with
corr sponding female grooves within the bore of a
corresponding sleeve member 18. A central hole 24 is left
open to accommodate the passage of pre-stressing wire
30 cables. A rigid diaphragm 26 of sleeve member 18 is
sandwished between the respective facing ends of aligned
first and second ~ubular branches 12 and 14. The locking
engagement between the corresponding female groove and male
notch 22 is described in 8reater detail in United S~ates
3S Patent No. 4,288,947.
Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, the corresponding third
tubular branches 16 are inte~connected by means of a
~. .
,
.
~ 3 ~ 3
--10--
corresponding plurality of sleeve members 28 to define a
substantially vertical leg. Each sleeve member 28 i~
preferably integrally formed on a corresponding
construction device 10 so that a portion of each sleeve
5 member 28 extends beyond the intersection of first, second
and third tubular branches 12, 14 and 16 of the
corresponding device 10, as best shown in FIGURE 6.
Referring to FIGURES 7A and 7B, sleeve member 28
includes a centrally disposed saddle 30, which defines two
10 chambers 32A and 32B within sleeve member 28 for receiving
the corresponding first and second tubular branches 12 and
14 within sleeve member 28. Sleeve member 28 further
includes a central diaphragm 34 for being sandwiched
between the corresponding third tubular branch 16 of an
15 adjacent construction device 10 and saddle 30. The locking
engagement described above with reference to FIGURES 4A and
4B is also used to receive third tubular branch 16 within
- the corresponding sleeve member 280
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 8, a modular space framed
20 structure 40 in the shape of a truncated pyramid is formed
by interconnecting a plurality of construction devices 10.
Construction devices 10 are divided into N number of
discrete sets of construction devices 10 corresponding to N
numbe~ of levels in structure 40. In FIGURES 2 and 8,
25 structure 40 is shown with four levels, with each level
being comprised of a discrete pentagonal frame 20. The
vertical legs of structure 40 are inclined at a
predetermined acute angle with respect to respective
vertical axes which are perpendicular to the respective
30 horizontal planes defined by the respective pentagonal
frames to enhance the stability and earthquake resistance
o structure 40. The pentagonal frame at the uppermost
level of structure 40 has the smallest area among the
frames and each successively lower pentagonal frame has a
35 corresponding greater area. The inclined legs are defined
by the interconnection of aligned third tubular branches 16
at each successive level in structure 40.
Tubular branches 12, 14 and 16 of each device 10 in
each discrete set have substantially the same length. For
example, if the length of each tubular branch 12, 14 and 16
in the uppermost level is L, the length of each tubular
branch 12, 14 and 16 at each level in structure 40 is equal
5 to approximately 1.309(N-l) x L, where N is an integer
representing the particular level in structure 40 counting
in succession from the uppermost level to the lowermost
level of structure 40. Therefore, the length of each
tubular branch 12, 14 and 16 increases by approximately
10 30.9% between each successive level in structure 40 from
the top to the bottom thereof. Similarly, the diameter D'
(which is measured as shown in FIGURE 3) increases by
approximately 30.9% between each successive level from top
to bottom in structure 40. It can be determined
15 mathematically that the diameter D' of each pentagonal
frame is equal to approximately 3.0777 multiplied by the
length of each tubular branch 12, 14 and 16 (i.e., 3.0777 x
1.309(N-l) x L) at that particular level in structure 40.
Thus, the diameter D' of the lowermost level (i.e., N=4) in
20 structure 40 is approximately 6.9031 L as compared to the
diameter D' of the uppermost level (i.eO, N=l) of structure
40, which is approximately 3.0777 L.
Structure 40 can be reinforced by applying bracing
members 41 between pentagonal frames, as shown in FIGURE 8,
25 particularly in areas where seismic, ice, current, wave and
wind forces acting on the structure become critical.
Panel~ may also be used to span the spaces between the
pentagonal frames. The tubular branches and sleeve members
have central openings for receiving pre-stressing cables 44
30 therethrough, as shown in FIGURE 6, to achieve structural
rigidity. A filler material, such as concrete, can be
poured into the tubular branches to further reinforce the
structure.
The modular space framed structure 40 according to the
35 present invention is particularly well-suited ~or marine
operations where support structures must be built under
adverse conditions. Referring to FIGURE 9~ structure 40
can be used as a submerged structure to support a work
-12- ~ 3 ~ 3
platform superstructure 42. Structure 40 can be par~i~lly
assembled on shore and transported to and erected at the
installation site or alternatively structure 40 can be
assembled on site using modular devices 10.
The earthquake resistance force of a structure can be
e~pressed as Ph/Db, where P is the lateral force exerted on
the structure by the earthquake, h is the height of the
structure and Db is the diameter of the base level of the
structure. The natural pyramidal shape of the structure
10 according to the present invention lowers the center of
gravity of the structure and substantially reduces the
required earthquake resistance force of the structure by
increasing the diameter of the base level thereof. For
example, a substantially rectangular structure having the
15 same diameter from top to bottom of approximately 3.0777 L
will require an earthquake resistance force of
approximately Ph/3.0777L. On the other hand, a pyramidal
structure according to the present invention having six
levels with the same diameter D' at the uppermost level as
20 the aforementioned rectangular structure will require an
earthquake resistance force of approximately Ph/15.4833L.
Thus, the earthquake resistance force is approximately one-
fifth of the conventional rectangular structure with
substantially the same diameter D' at the top level in the
25 structure.
The pentagonal frames comprising each level of the
structure provide an optimum balance between the horizontal
force resistive capability of a circular frame structure
and the ease of construction of a rectangular frame
30 structure. Another advantage of the modular space frame
structure according to the present invention is the
rigidity of the corners at each level in the structure
provided by rigid modular construction devices. The
aligned branches of the modular construction devices can be
35 quickly and conveniently interconnected as compared to
conventional pin or bolt connections. The construction
devices can be manufactured to uniform specifications in a
factory with rigid quality control, thereby reducing the
-13-
amount of work necessary in the field.
An added advantage of the rigid Y-shape construction
devices lies in the minimization of underwater welded
construction. It is well known that in off-shore platform
5 construction, field welding creates problems of Locali~ed
Brittle Zone (LBZ) and Heat Affected Zone (HAZ~ which
contribute to many structural failures and loss of the
expensive off-shore platforms. A similar advantage applies
to on-shore constructions.
Referring to FIGURE 10, a modular space framed
structure 50 is comprised of vertical legs and hexagonal
space frames a~ each level in structure 50 to achieve a
vertical walled tower structure 50. Structure 50 is
constructed in substantially the same manner as described
15 above with reference to FIGURES 1-9, except that the
tubular branches of the modular construction devices are
disposed at respective space angles of 120, 90, and 90
to define a tower with a hexagonal lateral cross section
and vertical legs instead of the 108, 108 and 108 space
20 angles described above with reference to FIGURE 8.
Structure 50 is well-suited for onshore tower construction.
Referring to FIGURE 11, a plurality of vertical walled
towers 50 can be interconnected to define a honeycomb-
shaped structure 60 by connecting individual towers 50
25 along their abutting frame members with cable or the like,
to substantially enhance the earthquake resistance of the
entire structure 60. A wrap around sleeve 61, as shown in
FIGURES 17a and 17b, may be placed around the abutting
tubular branches of adjoining towers 50 to interconnect the
30 adjoining towers 50 and also to connect the tubular
branches of each tower end to end to form the individual
members of each hexagonal frame. Wrap around sleeve 61 may
be used in lieu of cylindrical sleeve member 18, described
above with reference to FIGURES 1-9. The wrap around
35 sleeve i9 preferably tightened by steel bands 63 around the
outside of the sleeve 61. Sleeve 61 may include female
grooves 61A for mating with complementary male members on
the abutting tubular branches around which sleeve 61 is
, ,
-14- ~ 3 ~ 4 3
wrapped, or alternatively, male notches 61B for mating with
complementary female members on the abutting tubular
branches.
Referring to FIGURES 12a and 12b, a modular
5 construction device 62, comprised of three C-channel beams
64, 66 and 68, may be used in lieu of device 10 with its
tubular branches 12, 14 and 16 to form each tower 50 and
struc~ure 60. Beams 64, 66 and 68 are of substantially
equal length and are interconnected to define a rigid Y-
10 shaped joint with respective space angles therebetween. Inthe embodiment illustrated, the space angle between first
and second beams 6~ and 66 is 120 and the respective space
angles between third beam 68 and each of first and second
beams 6~ and 66 are approximately 90. Beams 64, 66 and 68
15 may be manufactured as an integral unit or, alternatively,
first and second beams 64 and 66 may be integrally formed
with a notch cut out at the intersection between the two
beams to allow the two beams to fit over third beam 68 and
be attached thereto by welding or the like. First and
20 second beams 64 and 66 are attached to third beam 68 at a
position between respective opposite ends of third beam 68
so that respective portions of third beam 68 project from
the notched area in both directions along the axis of third
beam 68. First and second beams 64 and 66 may be disposed
25 with their respective channels facing inwardly, as in
FIGURE 12a, or facing outwardly, as in FIGURE 12b. In this
manner first and second beams 64 and 66 define respective
portions of the horizontal frame members at ~he
corresponding level in the structure and third beam 6~
30 defines a portion of a corresponding vertical leg of the
structure.
Another aspect of the invention is illustrated in
FIGURES 12c and 12d. Honeycomb structure 60 may have
common ver~ical legs between adjacent towers 50. A common
35 vertical leg is formed by interconnecting a plurality of
leg members 67 end to end. Each leg member 67 is comprised
of three beams 68, which are preferably welded together
along their respective adjacent lip flanges to define three
.
1S 131~943
attachment faces 68A, 68B and 68C on leg member 67, as best
seen in FIGURE 12c. Three corresponding pairs of
horizontal beams 64A and 66A, 64B and 66B and 64C and 66C
are attached to corresponding attachment faces 68A, 68B and
5 68C, respectiYely, with adjacent beams in abutting
relationship, as best shown in FIGURE 12d to define a
corresponding corner of structure 60. Welding rods 69
extend at least partially upward along the three beams 68
from the respective bottom ends of beams 68, between
lO adjacent lip flanges. Rods 69 provide a slight separation
between beams 68 so that the bottom portion ~as seen in
FIGURE 12d) of the three beams 68 is wider than the top
portion (as seen in FIGURE 12c). This disparity in width
allows the corresponding top portion of one leg member 67
15 to be received inside of the corresponding bottom portion
of another leg member 67 to form the common vertical legs
of structure 60. Leg members 67 may be secured together by
welding.
Abutting pairs of beams 64 and 66 are preferably
20 attached together and are interconnected end-to-end with
other abutting beam pairs to define the horizontal frame
members at each leYel in structure 60 by means of gusset
plates (not shown) or the li~e, which are bolted to the
respectiYe faces of the beams. The gusset plates span the
25 end-to-end connections between abutting beam pairs to
interconnect the beam pairs between the respective corners
of structure 60. One skilled in the art will appreciate
that the gusset plates perform an analogous function to
sleeve members 18, described above with reference to
30 FIGUR~S 1-9. Structure 60 may be prestressed by passing
wire cables through the enclosed channels formed by the
abutting beams.
Referring to FIGURE 13, honeycomb structure 60 is
adapted for receiving a ~odular inflatable dome structure
35 of the type described and claimed in United States patent
numbers 4,288,947 and 4,583,330. Dome structure 70 is
preferably comprised of an hexagonal apex 72 with
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-16-
alternating hexagonal and pentagonal panels 74 and 76,
respectively, connecting apex 72 with the uppermo~t level
of structure 60. A special adap~er sleeve (not shown) or
the like will normally be used to effect the connection
5 between dome structure 70 and the uppermost level of
struc~ure 60. FIGURE 14 illustrates nine differcnt points
of connection 1-9 at which inflatable dome structure 70 is
attached to the corresponding frame members at the
uppermost level of structure 60.
Referring to FIGURES 15 and 16, five additional tower
structures 50 are added to the seven tower structures 50
comprising honeycomb structure 60 shown in FI~URE 11 to
define a twelve tower honeycomb structure 80. A
substantially rectangular roof structure 82 may be used to
15 cover honeycomb structure 80, as shown in FIGURE 15.
FIGURE 16 illustrates an adapter 84 with a plurality of
sleeve member~ 86 projecting upwardly and downwardly
therefrom for connecting roof 82 to structure 80 below.
Both dome roof 70 and rectangular roof 82 are sloped from
20 their respective apexes to the points of connection of the
respective roof structures to the building structure
beneath to enhance drainage from the roof. The curvature
of the roof structure and the curved corners provided by
the hexagonal frames of the tower structures divert the
25 winds acting on the structure and reduce the effects of
wind forces. The interconnection between the individual
tower structures along their common vertical legs and at
selected positions on the abutting horizontal frame members
serves to strengthen the entire structure against wind and
30 seismic forces.
Re~erring to FIGURE 18, an alternate embodiment of a
modular construction device 90 according to the present
invention is depic~ed. Construction device 90 is
substantially similar to modular construction device 10,
35 described above with reference to FIGURES 1-9, except that
tubular branches 92, 94 and 96 of device 90 have male
threaded ends 92a, 94a and 96a, respectively, for receiving
complementary female threads disposed inside and adjacent
-17- ~31~4~
to a first end 98a of an extension member 9%. Second end
98b of extension member 93 is tapered and includes an
annular member 99 for mating with complementary groove 103
inside of a sleeve member 102, as shown in FIGURE 19~ In
5 this manner, the effective length of one or more of tubular
branches 92, 94 and 96 of construction device 90 can be
increased as required and still maintain the modular
features of construction device 90, which facilitates
handling thereof and provides advantages inherent in mass
10 production of construction devices 90. Ears 100 are
disposed adjacent to the respective junctions between
tubular branches 92, 94 and 96 for allowing lateral and
vertical bracing members (see FIGURE 20) to be attached
thereto by bolted connections.
Referring to FIGURE 19, sleeve member 102 is used to
connect aligned tubular branches of adjacent construction
devices 90 at a corresponding level in a tower structure.
In an inclined tower structure, such as structure 40
described above with reference to FIGURES 1-9~ the length
20 of each horizontal frame member depends upon the particular
level of the structure, as previously described.
Therefore, when modular construction devices 90 having
substantially the same length tubular branches are used,
the respective lengths of the connecting sleeve members 102
25 are varied depending upon their particular level in the
structure, as best seen in FIGURE 20. Sleeve member 102
has a circumferential groove 103 adjacent to each end
thereof for mating with the respective annular members on
aligned tubular branches 92 and 94 to interconnect aligned
30 tubular branches 92 and 94 of respective adjacent
construction devices 90 at a particular level in a tower
structure. The respective facing ends 92a and 94a of the
tubular branches being connected may be substantially in
contact within sleeve member 102 or a substantial gap may
35 be maintained betweem the respective facing ends 92a and
~4a of the aligned tubular branches, depending upon the
respective lengths of the tubular branches and the length
of the horizontal frame member being defined by the tubular
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branches and the connecting sleeve member, Sleeve member
102 has a plurality of ears 104 extending therefrom for
allowing lateral and vertical bracing members (see FIGURE
20) to be attached thereto by bolt connectors or the like,
Referring to FIGUR~ 20, a tower structure 106 is
substantially similar to structure 40 depicted in FIGU~ES 2
and 8, except that sleeve members 102 vary in length
depending upon the particular level in tower structure 106
at which the corresponding sleeve members 102 are
10 positioned, Tower 106 has inclined legs so that the length
of each horizontal frame member 108 increases in succession
from he uppermost level to the lowermost level in structure
106, As such, the sleeve members 102 disposed at the
lowermost level will have the greatest length while the
15 sleeve members 102 disposed at the uppermost level will
have the least length, Each sleeve member 102 is
preferably of sufficient length to connect aligned tubular
branches approximately at points of contraflexure along the
corresponding horizontal frame level, For example, the
20 points of oontraflexure may be approximately one-fourth
(1/4) of the length of the corresponding horiæontal frame
member 108 from each end of frame member 108 so that the
length of the corresponding sleeve member 102 would be at
least one-half (1/2) of the length of the corresponding
25 horizontal frame member 108. If the length and associated
weight of horizontal frame member 108 becomes excessive, a
plurality of shorter sleeve members 18, which are similar
to those described in FIGURES 4A and 4B, may be used to
interconnect aligned members to define the corresponding
30 horizontal f}ame member 108. An extension member 109
having tapered ends configured to mate with complementary
portions of adjacent sleeve members 18 spans between
adjacent sleeve members 18. Bracing members 110 are
connected to the respective ears 104 on sleeve members 102
35 and also to ears 100 on construction devices 90 to enhance
the structural integrity of tower structure 106.
Various embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail. Since it is obvious that many changes
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in and additions to the above-described preferred
embodiment may be made without departing from the nature,
spirit and scope of the invention, the invention is not to
be limited to said details except as set forth in the
5 appended claims.
